Monday, March 15, 2010

Source: DTN News / AFP
(NSI News Source Info) BHUBANESWAR, India - March 16, 2010: India's homegrown interceptor defence shield developed to detect and destroy incoming ballistic missiles failed during a test on Monday, military officials said.
The test was abandoned when the radars following the target, a nuclear-capable missile, lost track of it after it blasted off from a site 200 kilometres (120 miles) from Bhubaneswar in eastern India.
"The 'hostile' missile went off the radars after it took off and deviated from its trajectory and so the interceptor was not launched," an official from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said, asking not to be named.
DRDO spokesman Ravi Gupta in New Delhi confirmed the seven-metre (23-foot foot) interceptor missile was not launched during Monday's botched test.
India would join Israel, Russia and the United States in developing and possessing such technology if it is rolled out per schedule this year.
The system's tracking and fire control radars have been developed by the DRDO jointly with Israel and France.
Last month, India announced it would test a nuclear-capable missile with a range of over 5,000 kilometres within a year.
India's current longest-range nuclear-capable missile, Agni-III, can travel 3,500 kilometres.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan, with which India has fought three wars since their independence six decades ago, has said India's missile programme could trigger a new arms race in the region.

DTN News: Russia To Float Out New Nuclear Submarine On May 7Source: DTN News / Ria Novosti
(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - March 16, 2010:A new Russian nuclear-powered multipurpose attack submarine will be floated out on May 7, a shipyard spokesman said on Monday.
Construction of the Severodvinsk, a Project 885 Yasen (Graney) class submarine, began in 1993 at the Sevmash shipyard in the northern Russian city of Severodvinsk but has since been dogged by financial setbacks.
"A floating out ceremony for Russia's new Severodvinsk nuclear submarine at the Sevmash shipyard has been scheduled for May 7," the official said.
Graney-class nuclear submarines combine the ability to launch a variety of long-range cruise missiles (up to 3,100 miles or 5,000 km) with nuclear warheads, and effectively engage submarines, surface warships and land-based targets.
The submarine's armament includes 24 cruise missiles, including the 3M51 Alfa SLCM, the SS-NX-26 Oniks SLCM or the SS-N-21 Granat/Sampson SLCM. It will also have eight torpedo launchers, as well as mines and anti-ship missiles such as SS-N-16 Stallion.
Severodvisk is expected to enter service with the Russian Navy by late 2010.
Last year, work started on the second sub in the series, the Kazan, which will feature more advanced equipment and weaponry.
Russia's Navy commander, Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky, has said that the construction of new-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile and attack submarines was a top priority for the Russian Navy.

DTN News: Clinton 'Optimistic' About U.S.-Russian Nuclear Arms Cuts TreatySource: DTN News / Ria Novosti
(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - March 16, 2010:U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said ahead of her upcoming visit to Moscow she expected the replacement to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START 1) to be signed soon.
Clinton will travel to Moscow on March 18-19 for talks with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and to attend the meeting of the Quartet of international mediators in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
"I'm optimistic that we'll be able to complete this agreement soon. It's a technically very complex treaty to accomplish. We share an interest in making real reductions in our strategic arsenals, and that is the most important point," Clinton said in an interview with The New Times published on Monday.
"To do that in a way that is verifiable, but which is less costly and less operationally complex than the previous START agreement is the key challenge, and we are working through it together," she told the Moscow-based paper.
Russia and the United States have been negotiating issues of the arms reduction pact since the two countries' presidents met in April last year, but signing a document has dragged on, with U.S. plans for missile defense in Europe a particular sticking point.
Moscow wants to include a link between missile defenses and cuts in offensive weapons, but the U.S. Senate is unlikely to ratify any document formally linking the two issues.
START 1, the cornerstone of post-Cold War arms control, expired on December 5.

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 15, 2010Source: U.S. DoD issued March 15, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - March 15, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued March15,2010 are undermentioned;
CONTRACTSNAVY~Navistar Defense, LLC, Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded a $178,262,162 modification to delivery order #0013 under previously awarded firm-fixed priced contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for the procurement of 1,222 independent suspension system kits and aluminum catcher plates for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. Work will be performed in West Point, Miss., and the period of performance is expected to be completed by the end of March 2011. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
~Northrop Grumman Corp., Integrated Systems, Bethpage, N.Y., is being awarded a $94,629,000 not-to-exceed advance acquisition contract for long lead materials and support associated with the manufacture and delivery of four low rate initial production Lot 3 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Work will be performed in Syracuse, N.Y. (32.6 percent); various locations within the United States (23.7 percent); Bethpage, N.Y. (15.5 percent); Dallas, Texas (12.4 percent); Menlo Park, Calif. (9.8 percent); and Woodland Hills, Calif. (6 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-10-C-0044).
~L-3 Communications Corp.,Salt Lake City, Utah, is being awarded a $37,490,848 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive contract (N00019-09-C-0059) to exercise an option for the manufacture, test, and delivery of 11 AN/SRQ-4(Ku) radio terminal sets for ship small surface combatants and 51 AN/ARQ-59 RTSs for the MH-60R aircraft, including technical data. These upgraded Ku-band systems will extend existing Hawklink connectivity from small surface combatants to the aircraft carrier and increase data rates between MH-60R to surface combatants. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is expected to be completed in March 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
~Raytheon Technical Services Co., LLC, Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded an $18,853,530 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously issued basic order agreement (N00019-05-G-0008) to exercise an option for the procurement of 36 LAU-115D/A launchers and 82 LAU-116B/A launchers for the F/A-18 aircraft. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., and is expected to be completed in September 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
~Maersk Line, Ltd, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded an $8,630,000 firm-fixed-price contract for a nine-month time charter of tanker MT Samho Moonstone, currently a foreign-flag vessel, which will be re-named and U.S.-flagged upon delivery to the government. The ship’s primary mission is to move petroleum for the Department of Defense between ports in the Far East. This contract includes one 30-day option which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $9,500,000. Work is expected to commence May 2010 and is expected to be completed within 270 calendar days or, if all options are exercised, within 300 calendar days. The contract is expected to be funded in fiscal year 2010 and funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured, with 11 offers received. Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting authority (N00033-10-C-5410).
~Insitu, Inc., Bingen, Wash., is being awarded an $8,576,814 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of technical services in support of the ScanEagle unmanned aerial system to support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services. In addition, this contract provides for six critical spare kits and nine SkyHook recovery system modifications. Work will be performed in Bingen, Wash., and is expected to be completed in December 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $8,433,786 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-2. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-10-C-0045).
~Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, San Diego, is being awarded a $7,500,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-5122) for the exercise of FY 10 options for performing as the platform system engineering agent for the Ship Self Defense System (SSDS). In the course of this effort, Raytheon will be responsible for the integration of complex war-fighting improvement - including components associated with the dual-band radar and Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2 - into the modular SSDS. SSDS is a combat system that intends to integrate and coordinate all of the existing sensors and weapons systems aboard a ship. Raytheon will integrate, test, and provide certification support for the government-furnished equipment/information required for the CVN/amphibious ship combat system. Work will be performed in San Diego (90 percent); Tewksbury, Mass. (2.5 percent); Portsmouth, R.I. (2.5 percent); St. Petersburg, Fla. (2.5 percent); and Tucson, Ariz. (2.5 percent). Work is expected to be completed by September 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
AIR FORCE~Kaman Precision Products, Inc., Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $46,253,422.83 contract modification which will provide a quantity of 12,994 joint programmable fuze systems. At this time, entire amount has been obligated. 679 ARSS, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (F08626-98-C-0006, P00130).
~Raytheon Co.,Tucson, Ariz., was awarded a $19,505,458 contract which provides an Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air-Missile system improvement program. At this time, the $2,770,000 has been obligated. 696 ARSS, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-10-C-0105).
~Booz Allen Hamilton, Herndon, Va., was awarded a $20,355,914 contract which will provide secure collaborative technologies and cyber security to Air Mobility Command. At this time, $455,000 has been obligated. 55 Contracting Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-98-D-4002).
~Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was awarded an $11,111,767 contract modification which will provide for systems development, integration, and verification phase of the P5 range instrumentation waveform. This waveform is in support of the F-22 and F-35 aircraft. At this time, $5,000,000 has been obligated. 689 ARSS, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8678-05-C-0141).
ARMY ~Global Strategies Group North America, Inc., Frederick, Md., was awarded on March 10, 2010, an $18,745,406 firm-fixed-price contract for 103 containerized kitchens and authorize stockage list spares. Work is to be performed in Fredrick, Md., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with six bids received. U.S. Army Research, Development & Engineering Command Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W911QY-05-D-0004).
~Bethel Services, Inc., Bethel, Ark., was awarded on March 10, 2010, an $18,119,555 firm-fixed-price contract for 19 cold weather kits. Work is to be performed in Bethel, Ark., with an estimated completion date of April 29, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Research, Development & Engineering Command Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Divison, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W911QY-05-C-0047).
~Scott Reliance, JV, Chicago, Ill., was awarded on March 10, 2010, a $13,668,906 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of an Army Reserve Center. Work is to be performed in Joliet, Ill., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 3, 2012. Bids were posted on the World Wide Web with eleven bids received. U.S. Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-10-C-0013).
~Honeywell, Minneapolis, Minn., was awarded on March 10, 2010, a $7,342,153 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, funding Honeywell to design, develop, and deliver a demonstration of a gyroscope with a goal capability of absolute reference navigation in a compact, four diameter optically integrated gyro-head. Work is to be performed in Minneapolis, Minn. (47 percent); Somerset, N.J. (19 percent); Pasadena, Calif. (17 percent); Glendale, Ariz. (16 percent); and King of Prussia, Pa. (1 percent), with an estimated completion date of May 7, 2010. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-09-C-0019).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
~MOOG, Inc., East Aurora, N.Y., is being awarded a maximum $6,232,476 firm-fixed-price contract for V22 aircraft parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 2012. The Defense Logistics Agency, Philadelphia (DSCR-ZC), Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM4A1-06-G-0002-THA7).

DTN News: Boeing A160T Proves Resupply Capability for US Marines
Source: DTN News / Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) ST. LOUIS, - March 15, 2010: The Boeing [NYSE: BA] A160T Hummingbird has successfully completed a cargo delivery demonstration under a U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory contract, proving the unmanned rotorcraft's ability to resupply frontline troops in rough terrain. The Hummingbird met or exceeded all of the demonstration requirements during the tests, conducted March 9 - March 11 at the U.S. Army's Dugway Proving Ground in Utah.
Boeing showed that the A160T can deliver at least 2,500 pounds of cargo from one simulated forward-operating base to another 75 nautical miles away in well under the required six hours. The simulated mission carried 1,250-pound sling loads over two 150-nautical-mile round trips, with the A160T operating autonomously on a preprogrammed mission.
"The Hummingbird's performance was outstanding, as we had expected," said Vic Sweberg, director of Unmanned Aerial Systems for Boeing Military Aircraft. "The A160T's capabilities can fulfill our customer's near-term need for 24/7, reliable cargo resupply. It also provides unmatched flexibility to carry out a variety of other missions, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; target acquisition; direct action; and communication relay."
The A160T completed seven test flights during the demonstration, including a two-minute hover at 12,000 feet with the 1,250-pound sling load, and a nighttime delivery to a simulated forward operating base. The A160T's ability to execute extremely accurate autonomous deliveries also was demonstrated.
The A160T has a 2,500-pound payload capacity. It features a unique optimum-speed-rotor technology that significantly improves overall performance efficiency by adjusting the rotor's speed at different altitudes, gross weights and cruise speeds. The autonomous unmanned aircraft, measuring 35 feet long with a 36-foot rotor diameter, has hovered at 20,000 feet and cruised at more than 140 knots. The A160T established a world endurance record in its class in 2008 with an 18.7-hour unrefueled flight.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

(NSI News Source Info) El SEGUNDO, Calif.,- March 15, 2010: Boeing [NYSE: BA] has won the National Space Club's 2010 Nelson P. Jackson Award for fielding the first three Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft, the highest-capacity military communications satellites in the U.S. Department of Defense arsenal. Boeing representatives accepted the honor March 12 at the 53rd annual Goddard Memorial Dinner in Washington, D.C.
The National Space Club is a nonprofit organization that fosters excellence in space activities by promoting interaction between industry and government. The Nelson P. Jackson Award, named after the club's founder, is presented for outstanding contributions in the fields of space, missiles or aircraft.
Each WGS satellite has more than 10 times the capacity of a Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) III satellite, the system WGS will eventually replace. WGS-1 was launched in 2007; WGS-2 and WGS-3 were launched in 2009. The three spacecraft are exceeding all customer payload requirements as they provide high-performance broadband communications to U.S. warfighters and their allies in the major theaters of operation around the world.
"Under the WGS contract, Boeing has delivered three satellites to the Air Force that are already providing critical service to the warfighter," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "With a total of six satellites under contract, Boeing is meeting and exceeding all financial and schedule commitments on the WGS program, so it's gratifying to see the program achieve this industry honor.
"Because of the capabilities provided by WGS, the Department of Defense has seen a fivefold increase in satellite communications bandwidth worldwide. We're working closely with our Air Force teammates to continue improving the system and help warfighters execute missions with greater safety and effectiveness."
WGS satellites provide significantly greater throughput and flexibility over legacy and commercial systems, and include reconfigurable antenna spot beams that can bring broadband communications to remote regions. WGS-4, WGS-5 and WGS-6, planned for launch in calendar years 2011 and 2012, will include a radio frequency bypass enhancement that supports airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions requiring higher data rates. The Air Force recently requested a proposal from Boeing for options for six additional WGS satellites.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

DTN News: Israel Nabs Top Hamas Terrorist
Source: DTN News / Haaretz.com By Anshel Pfeffer
(NSI News Source Info) JERUSALEM, Israel - March 15, 2010: Israel says they captured the last senior official of Hamas' armed wing still at large in the Ramallah area. Maher Udda was arrested at his home in an operation conducted jointly by the Israel Defense Forces, the Shin Bet security service and the Israel Police capping a decade of efforts by security forces to apprehend him.
Udda, 47, from the village of Ein Yabrud, north of Ramallah, joined Hamas in the early 1990s and headed a Hamas cell in his village that was involved primarily in the capture and interrogation of Palestinian civilians suspected of collaboration with Israel.
The group also amassed weapons to be used against Israeli targets. Udda was arrested in 1998 by security forces belonging to the Palestinian Authority but was released after a few months.
During the second intifada, Udda assumed a leadership role in Hamas' armed wing in Ramallah. He has been wanted by Israel since 2000. During the subsequent several years, Udda worked primarily in financing and directing attacks against Israeli targets and was thought at some point to have served as a deputy to the head of the armed wing of Hamas in Ramallah, Ibrahim Hamed.
Hamed was arrested by Israeli forces four years ago and is considered one of the most prominent prisoners that Israel is refusing to free in connection with a deal for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
The Ramallah Hamas group committed a series of terrorist attacks, in which more than 70 Israelis were killed, during the second intifada. The Shin Bet has accused Udda of direct involvement in planning and directing two major suicide bombings in 2003: an attack on Cafe Hillel in Jerusalem's German Colony, in which seven Israelis were killed, and an attack at a crowded hitchhiking station at the entrance to the Tzrifin army base near Rishon Letzion, where eight soldiers were killed.
Avi Issacharoff contributed to this report.

DTN News: Boeing, Qatar Emiri Air Force Laud C-17 Fleet's AchievementsSource: DTN News / Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) DOHA, Qatar, - March 15, 2010: Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) celebrated Qatar's deployment of C-17 Globemaster III airlifters during an Air Force Day ceremony held March 10 at Doha International Airport.
"When the Qatar Emiri Air Force acquired two C-17s last year, we did so with every intention of supporting international disaster-relief and humanitarian missions around the world," said Brig. Gen. Ahmed Al-Malki, head of Qatar's airlift selection committee. "We take great pride in being among the first of many nations to respond to Haiti and Chile, delivering several thousand tons of food, water and medical supplies."
Just days after Haiti was struck by an earthquake on Jan. 12, a Qatar C-17 delivered aid to the country's capital, Port-au-Prince. On March 4, Qatar sent a C-17 filled with humanitarian aid to Chile in response to that country's Feb. 27 earthquake.
"It is with great appreciation that on Air Force Day we salute the Qatar Emiri Air Force and its leadership for the many important contributions they are making right now in Chile and Haiti," said Chris Chadwick, president, Boeing Military Aircraft. "Boeing employees everywhere were extremely moved to see Qatar's C-17s bringing hope to those in need, and joining so many other nations on lifesaving missions. We're proud that the C-17, with its reputation for reliability and maintainability, is serving your nation, and the people of Chile and Haiti, so well."
Boeing delivered Qatar's first C-17 on Aug. 11 and the second on Sept. 10. Qatar, the first Middle East nation to order the C-17, signed an agreement with Boeing on July 21, 2008, for the two advanced airlifters and associated equipment and services, as well as an option for two additional aircraft. The company provides Qatar's C-17s with operational support, including material management and depot maintenance support, under the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership at Al Udeid Air Base, where the QEAF's C-17s are based.
"The Qatar Emiri Air Force's acquisition of the C-17 is a testament to Qatar's laudable and growing role in humanitarian relief around the world," said Paul Kinscherff, president, Boeing Middle East. "Boeing is pleased to be a partner to the State of Qatar as it builds humanitarian capabilities, a global air transport hub, and its role in the aerospace industry."
A total of 214 C-17s are currently in service worldwide. Nineteen of the airlifters are in service with international customers, while the U.S. Air Force, including active Guard and Reserve units, has 195. International customers include Qatar, the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability consortium of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. The United Arab Emirates is on contract for six C-17s, which it will receive in 2011 and 2012.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

DTN News: Fourth 787 Joins Boeing Flight-Test Fleet
Source: DTN News / Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) EVERETT, Wash., - March 15, 2010: Boeing (NYSE: BA) has added the fourth 787 Dreamliner to its flight-test fleet with the completion of the first flight of ZA003. The airplane on March 14. departed Paine Field in Everett, Wash., at 10:55 a.m. (Pacific time) and landed at 2:01 p.m. at Boeing Field in Seattle.
Captains Ray Craig and Mike Bryan piloted the airplane on its three-hour-and-six-minute flight. ZA003 is the final 787 with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines to enter the flight-test program.
"We've done a significant amount of ground testing on the new systems on ZA003 in preparation for first flight. Engineering, manufacturing and flight operations have really pulled together as a team to enable first flight," said Craig. "It has been very rewarding to watch the Boeing team pull together in support of this milestone."
ZA003 is the only 787 in the flight test fleet that will include elements of the passenger interior features including cabin and crew support systems. The 787 is introducing new passenger amenities and provisions for a more comfortable flying experience. Among the new features are improved lighting, bigger stowage bins, larger windows with electrochromatic shades and redesigned lavatories with easier access.
In addition to demonstrating that the interior meets certification requirements, ZA003 will be used to conduct tests on systems, noise performance, flight-deck operations, avionics, electromagnetic effects, high-intensity radio frequency response and extended operations (ETOPS).
"The Boeing team is doing great work. We've established a good pace of accomplishment on the program," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The priorities are clear and the entire team is focused."